From Jan 16, Tian'an 1000 Trees mall has opened a "flying encounter" Chinese New Year installation, introducing Mogao-inspired Dunhuang motifs and a winged horse centerpiece that anchors a cultural journey through the city center.

The indoor atrium features a replica caisson pattern and a large winged-horse motif, while the west gate displays extensive Dunhuang imagery, creating a dialogue between ancient murals and contemporary architecture that invites photography.

Local visitors praised the blend of tradition and novelty; while parents, seniors and art lovers described the installation as both educational and photogenic, turning the mall into a wintertime cultural attraction and community gathering spot.

The design team translated Mogao Caves' visual language into modern public art, echoing the mall's vertical architecture through layered motifs such as lotuses, flying apsaras and caisson patterns to link traditional aesthetics with everyday life.

Starting Jan 31, the mall will on weekends host some 20 Dunhuang-themed stalls selling ceramics, incense, tea, calligraphy, paper-cuts and handcrafts that express Silk Road legacies and foster hands-on cultural engagement for visitors.

As part of Putuo's Spring Festival series, the district will present an intangible cultural heritage market along the Suzhou River, along with horse-themed boat cruises and pop-up song-and-dance performances to energize the tourism circuit. 

Through spatial aesthetics, living heritage activation and cross-street coordination, Moganshan Road art district aims to turn deep cultural roots into participatory urban tourism, offering residents and visitors a contemporary Chinese New Year experience.

Source: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Putuo Media Center at "shputuo"